Ireland's dearth of forward options for last month's games against Wales and Iceland led to some suggestions that Sean Maguire should be considered by Martin O'Neill.
A move to England, as it has done with the prospects of Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan, would certainly aid his chances of a call-up.
According to Neil O'Riordan of the Irish Sun, that possibility is on the cards.
Preston, not for the first time, have been linked with a move for the Cork City striker. The Championship side were reportedly interested in signing Maguire before he put pen to paper for a new one-year deal with Cork in December.
Maguire hit the back of the net 29 times for Cork last season and has eight goals so far this season as Cork sit top of the League of Ireland with seven wins from seven.
Preston, who already have a strong Irish contingent - including Boyle, Horgan, Greg Cunningham, Alan Browne and Aiden McGeady - are not the only suitors for the 22-year-old. League One side Charlton are also interested.
Preston would appear to be an ideal move for Maguire though. Boyle and Horgan have both been given opportunities by Simon Grayson since joining the club.
Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
